Automatic plastic bag opening device

ABSTRACT

A bag opening apparatus includes one or more processors; a motor assembly; one or more gearing assemblies; one or more shaft assemblies; one or more gripping assemblies; and one or more bag sensor assemblies. The one or more bag sensor assemblies detect a leading edge of the bag and communicates a signal or command to one or more processors. The bag opening apparatus includes one or more memory devices and computer-readable instructions stored in the one or more memory devices. The computer-readable instructions are executable by the one or more processors to communicate with the motor assembly to activate the motor assembly, the motor assembly to rotate and cause movement of the one or more gearing assemblies, the one or more shaft assemblies and the one or more gripping assemblies.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to and claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 63/064,098, filed Aug. 11, 2020, entitled “AUTOMATIC PLASTIC BAG OPENING DEVICE,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This patent disclosure relates generally to an apparatus for dispensing plastic bags in supermarkets or other stores (e.g., such as produce bags) and, specifically automated plastic bag dispensers that minimize a consumer utilizing their fingers or hands in the opening of the plastic bags.

BACKGROUND

Currently, many consumes desire fresh food products such as fruits and/or vegetables. In addition, consumers and supermarkets (or grocery stores) would like to minimize the spread of diseases such as Covid-19 by minimizing the touching of the produce by too many people. In order to present the grocery products in the best possible light, grocery products are often displayed to consumers as loose items. The consumers then utilize plastic produce bags located near the product displays to hold the grocery products that the consumers select to purchase. In most cases, the plastic produce bags are configured in plastic bag dispensers (which may be cylindrical rolls). The cylindrical rolls most often include a single continuous sheet that includes a large number of plastic produce bags that are separable from each other along a scored line.

A consumer typically pulls the leading plastic produce bag of a roll out of a plastic bag dispenser. The consumer then tears the bag along the scored line in order to separate the leading plastic produce bag from the rest of the roll of the plastic produce bags. The consumer then presses their fingers against the bag in order to try and separate a front side and a back side of the plastic produce bag in order to create an opening into which to put the produce or other grocery product.

The main problem with typical plastic produce bags is the opening of the plastic produce bags. It is hard and frustrating to open the two sides of the plastic produce bags in order to insert the grocery items. It is difficult to find a top opening of the plastic produce bags. It is also difficult to open the top opening (e.g., separate a front side of the plastic produce bag and a back side of the plastic produce bag). This is true especially as consumers get older and do not have the dexterity to easily open the plastic bags. Consumers often become frustrated with their inability to open the top opening or mouth of a separated plastic produce bag. Sometimes the consumers fingers are dry and the consumer may moisten or spit on the fingers in order to separate the front side and the back side of the plastic produce bag in order to open the bag. With the Covid-19 pandemic, this may no longer be able as an option since all consumers are supposed to be wearing masks and it is also frowned upon to spit and eject particles from your mouth while the Covid-19 virus still does not have a vaccine. Accordingly, a solution is needed to easily open plastic bags.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a plastic page dispenser according to the prior art.

FIG. 2A illustrates a bag opening apparatus according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2B illustrates a bag opening apparatus according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2C illustrates the pad or gripping assembly of a bag opening apparatus according to some embodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a bag opening apparatus according to some embodiments;

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a bag opening apparatus according to some embodiments; and

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a bag opening apparatus according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing the general principles of exemplary embodiments. Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

The following detailed description and provides a better understanding of the features and advantages of the claimed subject matter described in the present disclosure in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein. Although the detailed description includes many specific embodiments, these are provided by way of example only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter disclosed herein.

In the following detailed description, exemplary embodiments in which various aspects of the disclosure may be practiced are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the claimed subject matter. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, programmatic, mechanical, electrical and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims and equivalents thereof.

The description of the illustrative embodiments can be read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. Embodiments incorporating teachings of the present disclosure are shown and described with respect to the figures presented herein. The specific numerals assigned to the elements are provided solely to aid in the description and are not meant to imply any limitations (structural or functional or otherwise) on the described embodiment. It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements illustrated in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements are exaggerated relative to other elements.

It is understood that the use of specific component, device and/or parameter names, such as those of the executing utility, logic, and/or firmware described herein, are for example only and not meant to imply any limitations on the described embodiments. The embodiments may thus be described with different nomenclature and/or terminology utilized to describe the components, devices, parameters, methods and/or functions herein, without limitation. References to any specific protocol or proprietary name in describing one or more elements, features or concepts of the embodiments are provided solely as examples of one implementation, and such references do not limit the extension of the claimed embodiments to embodiments in which different element, feature, protocol, or concept names are utilized. Thus, each term utilized herein is to be given its broadest interpretation given the context in which that term is utilized.

As further described below, implementation of the functional features of the disclosure described herein is provided within processing devices (processors) and/or structures and can involve use of a combination of hardware, firmware, as well as several software-level constructs (e.g., program code and/or computer-readable instructions and/or pseudo-code) that execute to provide a specific utility for the device or a specific functional logic. The presented figures illustrate both hardware components and software and/or logic components.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the hardware components and basic configurations depicted in the figures may vary. The illustrative components are not intended to be exhaustive, but rather are representative to highlight essential components that are utilized to implement aspects of the described embodiments. For example, other devices/components may be used in addition to or in place of the hardware and/or firmware depicted. The depicted example is not meant to imply architectural or other limitations with respect to the presently described embodiments and/or the general claimed subject matter.

A network may include past, present and/or future mass storage, computing devices, and/or device readable media, and a portion of the Internet (or global communications network), one or more local area networks (LANs), one or more wide area networks (WANs), wire-line type connections, one or more personal area networks (PANs), wireless type connections, one or more mesh communication networks, one or more cellular communication networks, one or more peer-to-peer wireless communication networks, other connections, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, a network may comprise two or more computing devices so that signal communications, such as in the form of signal packets, for example, may be exchanged, such as between a server computing device and a client computing device and/or other types of devices, including between wireless devices coupled via a wireless network, for example. In some embodiments, the wireless devices may be wireless communication devices such as smart phones, cellular phones, etc.

Systems and methods are described for allowing a consumer to easily and/or automatically open a plastic produce bag by providing a plastic bag opening apparatus attached, coupled or connected to a plastic bag dispenser to allow the user to operate the plastic bag opening apparatus to open the front side and the back or rear side of the plastic produce bag. In other embodiments, the plastic bag opening apparatus may be placed in proximity to, adjacent to and/or next to the plastic bag dispenses. In some embodiments, the apparatus may include two rods and associated pads to rub the front side and rear side of the plastic product bag in order to open a top opening or portion of the bag. In other words, a first rod and a first pad may rub on a front side of the plastic bag and a second rod and a second pad rub on an opposite side (or rear side of the plastic bag) which creates separation between the front side and the rear side of the plastic bag and creates an opening at the mouth or top opening of plastic produce bag. In some embodiments, the plastic rods (or shafts) and pads (or gripping assemblies) may be moved into position by pulling of a plastic bag that is part of a roll of plastic bags.

In one embodiment, a plastic produce bag dispenser for facilitating a consumer to open a plastic produce bag includes: a frame including a spindle configured to hold and permit dispensing of a roll of plastic produce bags, each of the plastic produce bags in the roll including a front sidewall, a rear sidewall, and an openable mouth proximate a first end of the plastic produce bag and a closed second end. In some embodiments, adjacent plastic produce bags in the roll may be separable from each other along a line of weakness; a bag separator coupled to the frame configured to permit separation of a leading plastic produce bag from an adjacent plastic produce bag along the aforementioned score line. In some embodiments, the plastic bag opening device may include one or more (e.g., two) pads (or gripping assemblies) that have a frictional element having a higher coefficient of friction relative to surfaces of the front and rear sidewalls of the plastic produce bag.

The claimed subject matter includes a unique feature of automatically operating without the user having to separate the sides of the plastic bag. In one embodiment, the grabbing of the plastic bag (e.g., by the consumer) may cause a spindle assembly to rotate to unroll the bag from the plurality of bags. In addition, this pulling (and the associated turning of the spindle assembly) may also engage a gearing assembly to turn and/or rotate. In some embodiments, the gearing assembly may be coupled to a shaft or shaft assembly, In this embodiment, the turning of the gearing assembly may cause the shaft or shaft assembly to 1) move a first pad or gripping assembly next to a first side of a plastic bag and a second pad or gripping assembly next to a second side of the plastic bag and 2) then to have the first pad or gripping assembly to pull in one direction on a first side of the plastic bag and to have the second pad or second gripping assembly to pull in a second and approximately opposite direction on a second side of the plastic bag in order to separate the sides of the plastic bag and thus to open the plastic bag in order to allow produce and/or other products to be placed inside the bag. In some embodiments, a user or consumer may grab the plastic bag on one end and pull it in order to separate it from the roll of bags and this grabbing may start the movement and/or engagement of the shaft and pad assembly with the sides of the plastic bag. In these embodiments, because a hand or fingers of a consumer or user may be on the end of the plastic bag, the shaft and pad assemblies may be placed at a lower position on the bag (e.g., a small distance away from the end of the plastic bag where the user's or consumer's hand or fingers are position). In some embodiments, the claimed subject matter may be configured to utilize an entirely mechanical solution to open the plastic bag; and in alternative embodiments, the claimed subject matter may be configured to utilize an electromechanical assembly to open the plastic bag.

FIG. 1 illustrates a produce bag dispenser according to some embodiments. According to some embodiments, the produce bag dispenser may include a plastic bag holder or frame 110, a spool support assembly 115, a spool 120, a roll of a plurality of plastic produce bags 125 and/or a leading plastic bag 130. In some embodiments, a leading plastic bag 130 may have a score or dotted line 131 on one end and a top mouth or top opening at an opposite end 135. In some embodiments, the leading plastic bag 130 may include a top side 133 and a bottom side 132. In some embodiments, the roll of plastic bags 125 may be placed in a top opening of the plastic bag holder or frame 110. In some embodiments, the roll of plastic bags may have a spool 120 or alternatively the roll of plastic bags may not have a spool 120. In some embodiments, the roll of plastic bags may rotate or roll in a clockwise direction and in some embodiments, the roll of plastic bags may roll in a counterclockwise direction. In some embodiments, the plastic bag holder or frame 110 may comprise spool support assembly 115 which may also be referred to a vertical support assembly 115. In some embodiments, if a spool 120 is utilized then the spool 120 may connect and/or coupled to the spool support assembly 115. In some embodiments, a user may grab or contact a leading plastic bag 130 and may pull it in a forward direction 140 in order to move it from the roll of plastic bags 125. The embodiments described herein refer to plastic produce bags but the problem exists with many types of bags that may be made of polymers, laminates, metalized polymers, paper, or the like, as long as the bags include two layers or sides of flexible material. An improvement of the claimed subject matter is the grabbing of the plastic bag will engage the spool assembly and cause it to turn which will cause the device claimed herein to be moved and positioned next to the plastic bag so as to grip or grab the plastic bag and/or to allow for automatic opening of the plastic bag.

FIG. 2A illustrates a bag opening apparatus according to some embodiments. FIG. 2B illustrates a bag opening apparatus according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, a plastic produce bag opening apparatus may comprise a front pad or gripping apparatus 205, a front shaft 206, a rear pad or gripping apparatus 210 and/or a rear shaft 211. In some embodiments, the front shaft 206 and/or the rear shaft 211 may be coupled to driving apparatuses such as motors or gears in order to move the front shaft 206 and/or the rear shaft 211 in directions identified in FIGS. 2A and/or 2B. In some embodiments, the driving apparatuses may be initiated when a plastic bag is pulled from the roll of plastic bags. In some embodiments, only portions of the front shaft 206 and/or the rear shaft 211 are illustrated and other ends of the front shaft 206 and/or rear shaft 211 may be coupled to and/or connected to gearing assemblies and/or driving assemblies. In some embodiments, the front shaft 206 may be coupled, attached and/or connected to the front pad 205 (although multiple front pads 205 may be utilized). In some embodiments, the front pad 205 may be oval in shape. In some embodiments, the front pad 205 may have a contact surface that touches the plastic produce bag 220. In some embodiments, the front pad 205 may contact the plastic produce bag 220 on a front surface of the plastic produce bag 220. In some embodiments, the rear shaft 211 may be coupled, attached and/or connected to the rear pad 210 (although multiple rear pads 210) may be utilized. In some embodiments, the rear pad 210 may contact or touch the plastic produce bag on a rear side of the plastic bag 220. In some embodiments, the rear pad 210 may have an oval shape. In some embodiments, the rear pad 210 may have a flat surface (e.g., or a contact surface) that touches a rear surface of the plastic product bag. In some embodiments, the front pad 205 and/or the rear pad 210 may be utilized together to open the plastic produce bag 220 at a mouth or top opening 215 of the plastic product bag 220. In some embodiments, the front pad 205 and/or the rear pad 210 may rotate in clockwise direction and/or counterclockwise direction, respectively, to open the plastic produce bag 220. In some embodiments, the front pad 205 may rotate in a clockwise direction (as is illustrated by reference number 230) and the rear pad 210 may rotate in a counterclockwise direction (as is illustrated by reference 231). This opposing motion may cause the rear side or portion of the plastic produce bag 220 to separate from the front side or portion of the plastic produce bag 220 in order to open the plastic produce bag 220 at a mouth 215. In some embodiments, the front pad 205 and/or the rear pad 210 may move up or down in order to open the plastic produce bag 220. In some embodiments, the front pad 205 may move upwards or in an up vertical direction (as is illustrated by reference number 235) and the rear pad 210 may move downwards or in a downward vertical direction (as is illustrated by reference number 236) in order to separate the front portion of the plastic produce bag from the rear portion of the plastic produce bag. In some embodiments, the front pad 205 may move sideways (towards a left side as illustrated by reference number 240) and the back pad 210 may move sideways (towards an opposite ride side as illustrated by reference number 242) in order to separate the front and back of the bag. The directions of rotation, horizontal movement and/or vertical movement may be reversed for the front pad and/or the rear pad according to some embodiments.

FIG. 2C illustrates a top view or a side view of the pad or gripping assembly of a bag opening apparatus according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, when utilized with gab opening devices as in FIGS. 4 and 5, FIG. 2C illustrates a close up view of the operation of the pads 270 275 (and/or gripping surfaces 271 276) with respect to the plastic bag. In some embodiments, a first pad 270 with a gripping or separating surface 271 may be positioned on a first side of a plastic bag 285 and a second pad 275 with a gripping or separating surface 276 may be positioned on a second side of a plastic bag 285. In some embodiments, a first shaft 280 may be coupled, connected or attached to the first pad 270 and a second shaft 281 may be coupled, connected or attached to the second pad 275. In some embodiments, the first shaft 280 and/or the second shaft 281 may be driven and/or rotated by a motor or other driving assembly. In some embodiments, the driving and/or rotation may be initiated by the consumer pulling or grapping the plastic bag. In some embodiments, in order to separate and/or pull apart the first side of the plastic bag 280 from the second side of the plastic bag 285, the driving assembly may cause the first shaft 280 (and thus the first pad 270 and gripping surface 271) to move in a first direction 273 and at the same time cause the second shaft 281 (and thus the second pad 275 and second gripping surface 276) to move in a second direction 274. Because the gripping surfaces 271 and 276 are engaging the first side of the plastic bag 280 and the second side of the plastic bag 285, respectively, the first side 280 may be pulled apart from the second side 285 and the plastic bag may be opened in order for a consumer or user to place produce or products inside the plastic bag.

In some embodiments, the gripping surface may be made of materials including but not limited to, rubber, silicon, or other material that may a higher friction value to be utilized to grip and/or separate one side of the plastic bag from the other side of the plastic bag. It is important to select a material for the gripping surface to have a higher coefficient of friction (between the gripping surface and the material of the bag) than the coefficient of friction between the sides of the material of the bag), which allows the gripping surface to open and/or separate the bag. By having the higher coefficient of friction, the sides of material may move with respect to each other when the gripping surface makes contact or is engaged. In some embodiments, the gripping surface may take many forms, in that the gripping surface may be flat or smooth, have a tire-like tread, bumps, ridges and/or cones, which allow for easier gripping of the plastic bag material. As noted above, the gripping surface on the pad may utilize different surfaces for different types of plastic bags. In some embodiments, checkout lanes may have different types of bags than a plastic produce bag, e.g., the plastic may be thicker and not entirely transparent in a checkout lane or another part of a store or market where heavier products are placed in the plastic bag. In some embodiments, the gripping surface that may be utilized may be different for a thicker plastic bag as long as the frictional coefficient of the gripping surface with respect to the material of the plastic bag is greater than the frictional coefficient between the sides of the plastic bags. Thus, the claimed subject matter may be utilized on any types of bags that are difficult to separate.

FIG. 3 illustrates a plastic produce bag opening device according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the plastic bag opening device 300 may comprise one or more bag sensor assemblies 305, one or more controllers and/or processors 310, a driving assembly and/or motor 315, one or more gearing assemblies 320, one or more shaft or shaft assemblies 325 and/or one or more pads or gripping assemblies 330. In some embodiments, the plastic produce bag opening device 300 automatically opening plastic bags or plastic produce bags at a top opening or mouth of the plastic produce bag.

In some embodiments, the one or more bag sensor assemblies 305 may detect and/or determine that a plastic produce bag is being dispensed from a plastic bag dispensing device. In some embodiments, the one or more bag sensor assemblies 305 may detect a leading end of a plastic bag has passed by the sensor or that a trailing edge of the plastic bag has moved past the one or more sensor assemblies 305. In some embodiments, the one or more bag sensor assemblies 305 may detect that a score line of the plastic bag has passed the sensor assembly 305. In some embodiments, the one or more bag sensor assemblies 305 may detect a time since the plastic bag dispensing device has been activated or may detect that a spool that rotates to dispense the plastic bag has moved past or to a certain position. In some embodiments, the one or more bag sensor assemblies 305 may be detect where there is movement or activation of a spool assembly (e.g., determines whether a spool assembly has been engaged because the consumer has pulled on the bag to begin a process of separating the bag from the roll of bags). In other words, the pulling of the bag causes the bag sensor assembly 305 to generate a signal indicating the one or more shaft or shaft assemblies 325 and the one or more pads or gripping assemblies 330 should move into position in order to open the plastic bag. In some embodiments, the bag sensor assembly 305 may be utilized to determine when other portions of the bag opening device 300 should be initiated and/or activated. In some embodiments, the one or more bag sensor assemblies 305 may be coupled or electrically connected to the one or more processors or controllers 310. In some embodiments, when the bag sensor assembly 305 determines that one of the conditions above have occurred, the one or more bag sensor assemblies 305 may generate a signal, command and/or message which may be communicated to the controller or processor 310.

In some embodiments, the one or more controllers or processors 310 may include computer-readable instructions stored in one or more memory devices that may be executable by the one or more processors 310. In some embodiments, the computer-readable instructions executable by the one or more processors 310 cause the plastic bag opening device 300 to cause other components of the bag opening device 300 to perform operations (e.g., like activation of the motor, gearing assemblies and/or movement of one or more shaft assemblies). In some embodiments, the controller or processor 310 may generate commands, messages and/or signals and communicate the commands, messages and/or signals to a driving assembly and/or motor 315 in response to receiving a signal, command and/or message from the one or more sensor assemblies 305 that an event has occurred.

In some embodiments, in response to receiving a command, message and/or signal from the one or more controllers or processors 310, the motor or driving assembly 315 may begin operation or become activated. In some embodiments, the motor or driving assembly 315 may rotate a shaft that is part of the motor or driving assembly 315. In some embodiments, the motor or driving assembly 315 (and/or one or more shafts) may be coupled to one or more gearing assemblies 320 (although these components may be optional). In some embodiments, the one or more gearing assemblies 320 may control how much movement the corresponding or associated one or more shaft assemblies 325 and/or one or more pads or gripping assemblies 330 move in response to activation of the motor or driving assembly 315. In some embodiments, the motor or driving assembly 315 and/or the one or more gearing assemblies 320 may case the one or more shaft assemblies 325 and/or pads or gripping assemblies 330 to move to a position close to or adjacent to the plastic bag in order to grip or touch the plastic bag. In some embodiments, the one or more gearing assemblies 320 may be coupled, connected and/or attached to one or more shaft assemblies 325 and/or associated one or more pads or gripping assemblies 330. In some embodiments, the rotating of the one or more gearing assemblies 320 may result in rotation of the one or more shaft assemblies 325 and/or also rotation of the one or more pads or gripping assemblies 330. In some embodiments, the rotating of the one or more gearing assemblies may cause an up or down or a left or right directional movement of the one or more shaft assemblies 325 and/or the pads or gripping assemblies 330. In some embodiments, a first gearing assembly of the one or more gearing assemblies 320 may rotate in one direction (e.g., clockwise) while a second gearing assembly of the one or more gearing assemblies may rotate in a different and opposite direction (e.g., counterclockwise) in order to move a first shaft assembly and/or a first pad or gripping assembly) in a clockwise direction while moving the second shaft assembly and/or a second pad or gripping assembly in a counterclockwise direction to cause a mouth or a top portion of the plastic produce bag to open and/or separate. Likewise, in some embodiments, a first gearing assembly of the one or more gearing assemblies 320 may rotate or move in one direction (e.g., in a vertical up direction or a horizontal left direction) while a second gearing assembly of the one or more gearing assemblies may rotate or move in a different and opposite direction (e.g., in a vertical down direction or a horizontal right direction) in order to move a first shaft assembly and/or a first pad or gripping assembly) in a vertical up direction or a horizontal left direction while moving the second shaft assembly and/or a second pad or gripping assembly in a vertical down direction or horizontal right direction to cause a mouth or a top portion of the plastic produce bag to open and/or separate. In some embodiments, the first gearing assembly and the second gearing assembly should be symmetrical or equal in rotation speed and/or torque in order for the associated pads or gripping assemblies 330 to pull in equal or closed to similar opposite directions with respect to each other.

In some embodiments, the automatic bag opening assembly may comprise a power supply 350. In some embodiments, the power supply 350 may comprise a battery or rechargeable battery. In some embodiments, the automatic bag opening assembly may comprise a rechargeable power supply interface and/or port. In some embodiments, the operation of the automatic bag opening assembly 300 may be voice controlled and/or mobile app controlled. In some embodiments, the power supply 350 may provide power to the one or more sensor assemblies 305, the one or more controllers 310 and/or the one or more motors or driving assemblies 315. In some embodiments, the plastic produce bags may to wrapped around a spool assembly 355. In some embodiments, the spool assembly 355 may automatically rotate to dispense plastic bags. In some embodiments, the spool assembly 355 may be connected to a shaft assembly or shaft 352 which may cause the automatic rotation of the spool assembly 355 and thus dispensing of the plastic produce bags. In some embodiments, shaft assembly or shaft 332 may be coupled and/or connected to the motor and/or driving assembly 315. In this embodiment, the motor and/or driving assembly 315 may cause rotation of the shaft assembly and/or shaft 352 which in turn my cause rotation of the spool assembly 355 and thus the dispensing of the plastic bags. In some embodiments, the location and/or position of the associated pads or gripping assemblies 330 on the sides of plastic bag may be located a small distance away from the mouth of the plastic bag in order to not interfere with a consumer's hand and/or finger(s). The automatic operation of the plastic produce bag opening apparatus base on the user pulling on the bag is new and/or novel over prior bag opening devices.

FIG. 4 illustrates a plastic produce bag opening apparatus according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the plastic produce bag opening apparatus 400 may comprise a bag frame 405, a roll of plastic bags 410 including a leading edge plastic produce bag 411, a mechanical or electro-mechanical control assembly 415, a first shaft or linking assembly 420, a second shaft or linking assembly 421, a first pad or gripping assembly 425 and/or a second pad or gripping assembly 426. In some embodiments, the roll of plastic bags 410 rests or is placed in the bag frame 405 which allows the plastic bag roll or dispense bags. In some embodiments, the bag frame 405 may be an open construction. In some embodiments, the bag frame 405 may be made of plastic, a composite material, a lightweight metal material and/or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the leading edge bag 411 may be the bag that is pulled by the user and/or consumer. In some embodiments, once the leading-edge bag 411 is dispensed or pulled from the roll of plastic bags 410. In some embodiments, a mechanical or electro-mechanical control assembly 415 may control operation and/or deployment of the first shaft or linking assembly 420 and associated first pad or gripping assembly 425 and/or the second shaft or linking assembly 421 and associated second pad or gripping assembly 426. In some embodiments, the mechanical or electro-mechanical control assembly 415 may be a simple mechanical switch that has two positions (one at rest and one for when the first pad or gripping assembly 425 and/or second pad or gripping assembly 426 is opening the plastic produce bag 411). In some embodiments, the mechanical or electro-mechanical control assembly 415 may comprise one or more controllers, one or more motors and/or one or more gearing assemblies to cause a desired movement and/or rotation of first shaft or linking assembly 420 and first associated pad or gripping assembly 425 and/or an opposite or different desired movement and/or rotation of the second shaft or linking assembly 421 and second associated pad or gripping assembly 426. These opposite movements of the first shaft or linking assembly 420 and first associated pad or gripping assembly 425 and/or an opposite or different desired movement and/or rotation of the second shaft or linking assembly 421 and second associated pad or gripping assembly 426 cause a first side of the leading edge bag 411 to move in a different direction from the second side of the leading edge bag 411, which cases a mouth of the leading edge bag to open without any effort from the user and/or consumer. In some embodiments, FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a position where the one or more shaft or linking assemblies 421 420 and the pad or gripping assemblies 425 426 are deployed next to the plastic bag, and do not illustrate an initial position where they rest until they are deployed due to grabbing of the plastic bag and/or the resulting electromechanical actions.

FIG. 5 illustrates a plastic produce bag opening apparatus according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the plastic produce bag opening apparatus 400 may comprise a bag frame 405, a first side of a bag frame 406, a second side of bag frame 407, a spool assembly 408, a roll of plastic bags 410 including a leading edge plastic produce bag 411, a mechanical or electro-mechanical control assembly 415, a first shaft or linking assembly 450, a first pad or gripping assembly 451, a second shaft or linking assembly 455, and/or a second pad or gripping assembly 456. In some embodiments, the roll of plastic bags 410 rests or is placed in the bag frame 405 which allows the plastic bag roll or dispense bags. In some embodiments, the first side of the bag frame 406 and the second side of the bag frame 407 may assist in stabilizing the plastic produce bags in the bag frame 405. In some embodiments, the bag frame 405 may be an open construction. In some embodiments, the bag frame 405 may be made of plastic, a composite material, a lightweight metal material and/or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the bag frame 408 may comprise a spool assembly 408. In some embodiments, a hole in the center of the roll of plastic bags may allow the roll of plastic bags 410 to be inserted onto the spool assembly 408. In other words, the spool assembly 408 may be positioned in a center of the roll of plastic bags 410. In some embodiments, the leading edge bag 411 may be the bag that is pulled by the user and/or consumer. In some embodiments, once the leading-edge bag 411 is dispensed or pulled from the roll of plastic bags 410. In some embodiments, a mechanical or electro-mechanical control assembly 415 may control operation and/or deployment of the first shaft or linking assembly 450 and associated first pad or gripping assembly 451 and/or the second shaft or linking assembly 455 and associated second pad or gripping assembly 456. In some embodiments, the mechanical or electro-mechanical control assembly 415 may be a simple mechanical switch that has two positions (one at rest and one for when the first pad or gripping assembly 451 and/or second pad or gripping assembly 456 is opening the plastic produce bag 411). In some embodiments, the spool assembly 408 may be electrically and/or mechanically connected and/or coupled to the control assembly 415 (which may be electrical or mechanical) in order to identify that a bag is being dispensed or pulled from the roll of plastic bags (or bag dispensing device). In some embodiments, the mechanical or electro-mechanical control assembly 415 may comprise one or more controllers, one or more motors and/or one or more gearing assemblies to cause a desired movement and/or rotation of first shaft or linking assembly 450 and first associated pad or gripping assembly 451 and/or an opposite or different desired movement and/or rotation of the second shaft or linking assembly 455 and second associated pad or gripping assembly 456. These opposite movements of the first shaft or linking assembly 450 and first associated pad or gripping assembly 451 and/or an opposite or different desired movement and/or rotation of the second shaft or linking assembly 455 and second associated pad or gripping assembly 456 cause a first side of the leading edge bag 411 to move in a different direction from the second side of the leading edge bag 411, which cases a mouth of the leading edge bag to open without any effort from the user and/or consumer.

As detailed above, the computing devices described herein may be capable of executing computer-readable instructions, such as those contained within the modules described herein. In their most basic configuration, these computing device(s) may each comprise at least one memory device and at least one physical processor. In one example, a memory device may store, load, and/or maintain one or more of the modules described herein. Examples of memory devices comprise, without limitation, Random Access Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory (ROM), flash memory, Hard Disk Drives (HDDs), Solid-State Drives (SSDs), optical disk drives, caches, variations or combinations of one or more of the same, or any other suitable storage memory.

In addition, the term “processor” or “physical processor,” as used herein, generally refers to any type or form of hardware-implemented processing unit capable of interpreting and/or executing computer-readable instructions. In one example, a physical processor may access and/or modify one or more modules stored in the above-described memory device. Examples of physical processors comprise, without limitation, controllers, microprocessors, microcontrollers, Central Processing Units (CPUs), Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) that implement softcore processors, Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), portions of one or more of the same, variations or combinations of one or more of the same, or any other suitable physical processor.

Although illustrated as separate elements, the method steps described and/or illustrated herein may represent portions of a single application. In addition, in some embodiments one or more of these steps may represent or correspond to one or more software applications or programs that, when executed by a computing device or toy robotic device, may cause the computing device to perform one or more tasks, such as the method step. In addition, one or more of the devices described herein may transform data, physical devices, and/or representations of physical devices from one form to another. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more of the modules recited herein may transform a processor, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, and/or any other portion of a physical computing device from one form of computing device to another form of computing device by executing on the computing device, storing data on the computing device, and/or otherwise interacting with the computing device.

The term “computer-readable medium,” as used herein, generally refers to any form of device, carrier, or medium capable of storing or carrying computer-readable instructions. Examples of computer-readable media comprise, without limitation, transmission-type media, such as carrier waves, and non-transitory-type media, such as magnetic-storage media (e.g., hard disk drives, tape drives, and floppy disks), optical-storage media (e.g., Compact Disks (CDs), Digital Video Disks (DVDs), and BLU-RAY disks), electronic-storage media (e.g., solid-state drives and flash media), and other distribution systems.

A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that any process or method disclosed herein can be modified in many ways. The process parameters and sequence of the steps described and/or illustrated herein are given by way of example only and can be varied as desired. For example, while the steps illustrated and/or described herein may be shown or discussed in a particular order, these steps do not necessarily need to be performed in the order illustrated or discussed.

The various exemplary methods described and/or illustrated herein may also omit one or more of the steps described or illustrated herein or comprise additional steps in addition to those disclosed. Further, a step of any method as disclosed herein can be combined with any one or more steps of any other method as disclosed herein.

For the purposes of this disclosure a system or module is a software, hardware, or firmware (or combinations thereof), process or functionality, or component thereof, that performs or facilitates the processes, features, and/or functions described herein (with or without human interaction or augmentation). A module can include sub-modules. Software components of a module may be stored on a computer readable medium. Modules may be integral to one or more servers (or computing devices), or be loaded and executed by one or more computing devices. One or more modules may be grouped into an engine or an application.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the methods and systems of the present disclosure may be implemented in many manners and as such are not to be limited by the foregoing exemplary embodiments and examples. In other words, functional elements being performed by single or multiple components, in various combinations of hardware and software or firmware, and individual functions, may be distributed among software applications at either the client or server computing devices. In this regard, any number of the features of the different embodiments described herein may be combined into single or multiple embodiments, and alternate embodiments having fewer than, or more than, all of the features described herein are possible. Functionality may also be, in whole or in part, distributed among multiple components, in manners now known or to become known. Thus, myriad software/hardware/firmware combinations are possible in achieving the functions, features, interfaces and preferences described herein. Moreover, the scope of the present disclosure covers conventionally known manners for carrying out the described features and functions and interfaces, as well as those variations and modifications that may be made to the hardware or software or firmware components described herein as would be understood by those skilled in the art now and hereafter.

While certain exemplary techniques have been described and shown herein using various methods and systems, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various other modifications may be made, and equivalents may be substituted, without departing from claimed subject matter. Additionally, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation to the teachings of claimed subject matter without departing from the central concept described herein. Therefore, it is intended that claimed subject matter not be limited to the particular examples disclosed, but that such claimed subject matter may also include all implementations falling within the scope of the appended claims, and equivalents thereof

Unless otherwise noted, the terms “connected to” and “coupled to” (and their derivatives), as used in the specification and claims, are to be construed as permitting both direct and indirect (i.e., via other elements or components) connection. In addition, the terms “a” or “an,” as used in the specification and claims, are to be construed as meaning “at least one of.” Finally, for ease of use, the terms “including,” “incorporating,” “includes,” “incorporates,” and “having” (and their derivatives), as used in the specification and claims, are interchangeable with and shall have the same meaning as the word “comprising.”

The processor as disclosed herein can be configured with instructions to perform any one or more steps of any method as disclosed herein. As used herein, the term “or” is used inclusively to refer items in the alternative and in combination. As used herein, characters such as numerals refer to like elements. Embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described as set forth herein and are provided by way of example only. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize numerous adaptations, changes, variations and substitutions without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Several alternatives and combinations of the embodiments disclosed herein may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present disclosure and the inventions disclosed herein. Therefore, the scope of the presently disclosed inventions shall be defined solely by the scope of the appended claims and the equivalents thereof. 

1. A bag opening apparatus, comprising: one or more processors; a motor assembly; one or more gearing assemblies; one or more shaft assemblies; one or more gripping assemblies; one or more bag sensor assemblies, the one or more bag sensor assemblies to detect a leading edge of the bag and to communicate a signal to one or more processors; one or more memory devices; computer-readable instructions stored in the one or more memory devices and executable by one or more processors to: communicate with the motor assembly to activate the motor assembly, the motor assembly to rotate and cause movement of the one or more gearing assemblies, the one or more shaft assemblies and the one or more gripping assemblies.
 2. The bag opening apparatus of claim 1, wherein a first gearing assembly of the one or more gearing assemblies rotates in one direction which causes a first shaft assembly and a first gripping assembly to move in a first direction and a second gearing assembly of the one or more gearing assemblies rotates in another direction which causes a second shaft assembly and a second gripping assembly to move in a second direction.
 3. The bag opening apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first gearing assembly and the second gearing assembly are equal in rotation speed and/or torque to cause the first gripping assembly to rotate in the first direction and the second gripping assembly to move in an opposite second direction.
 4. The bag opening apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a power supply, the power supply powering the motor assembly, the one or more processors or controllers and/or the one or more bag sensor assemblies.
 5. The bag opening apparatus of claim 1, wherein the computer-readable instructions include software to allow the bag opening apparatus to be controlled via voice or via a mobile computing device.
 6. The bag opening apparatus of claim 1, further including a spool assembly, the spool assembly to hold a plurality of bags.
 7. The bag opening apparatus of claim 6, wherein the one or more processors communicate with the spool assembly to cause the spool assembly to rotate to dispense the plastic bag.
 8. The bag opening apparatus of claim 6, wherein the one or more shaft assemblies is connected to the spool assembly; and wherein the computer-readable instructions executable by the one or more processors communicate with the motor assembly to rotate the one or more shaft assemblies and/or the spool assembly.
 9. The bag opening apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more gripping assemblies are located a small distance away from a mouth of the plastic bag in order to not interfere with a consumer's hand. 